Chipmaker Intel has said that its ‘Ultrabook PCs’ will be launched by different manufacturers in the third or fourth quarter this year.

Intel said that Lenovo, Asustek and Acer will launch the new category of notebook computer, according to a Reuters report.

The company said that the Ultrabook would be priced at $999, and that it may come down over time.

Intel PC Client Group General Manager of Mobile Platforms Division Erik Reid said, "We are working very hard to bring the Ultrabook into the main stream…the prices will come down over time."

The company’s global investment arm Intel Capital will set up a $300m fund to invest in companies developing the Ultrabook.

Intel Capital Managing Director David Flanagan said that the investment will be made over the next 3-4 years. He added that Asia has a big potential for investment.

Intel hopes to benefit from the growing portable computer market and specifically in the tablet market started by Apple.

In June, Intel had launched the Intel-based Ultrabook category of computers at the Computex computer show in Taipei.

The new chairman of Intel China Sean Maloney unveiled the new category of laptops which are thin and light, but double up as a tablet device once folded.

At the show, Taiwanese netbook maker Asustek had displayed the Asus UX21, the first in Ultrabook class.

Asus chairman Jonney Shih had said, "Transforming the PC into an ultra-thin, ultra-responsive device will change the way people interact with their PC."

Intel expects Ultrabooks to account for 40% of laptop sales by the end of next year.

Intel vice-president Mooly Eden said that the Ultrabook is a "different category." He added that the Ultrabooks would be different from both tablet and notebook, and that the new product would appeal to a different category of consumers.

"There’ll be some confusion if you look at the fold factor; when you open it you’ll see a PC but if you’re on the go, just fold it and suddenly it’s a tablet. Is it a PC? Is it a tablet? I think it doesn’t matter," Eden said.

Intel expects to have 35 tablets based on its chips to hit stores by the end of the year.